Reusable dispenser

ABSTRACT

A reusable antiperspirant and/or deodorant dispenser with a removable front face that allows for the replacement of hygiene stick. The front face may be removed by sliding it upwards relative to a dispenser body until the front face disengages from the dispenser body. The front face may be re-attached to the dispenser body by snapping engagement tabs together. The used hygiene stick may then be removed by turning a rotational device such that a keyhole in the device aligns with a key on a spindle. A replacement hygiene stick may then now be inserted and seated on an elevator platform in the dispenser. In one embodiment, the hygiene stick may be sold as a set with the spindle and the elevator platform.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/791,189 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, and the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a reusable antiperspirant and/or deodorant dispenser in which a dispenser housing may be refilled and reused.

BACKGROUND

Conventional stick deodorant dispensers typically take the form of hollow tubes with an elevator platform inside that moves up to dispense the deodorant. In some dispensers, the elevator platform may be pushed up by hand; whereas in other dispensers the elevator platform may be moved up by turning a screw that moves the deodorant upward relative to a central threaded post. The conventional stick deodorant dispensers are disposed of after the deodorant stick has been sufficiently exhausted or used up.

The deodorant in conventional stick deodorant systems generally starts as a molten deodorant product inserted into empty deodorant containers with a dispensing nozzle as the containers are moved along a conveyor belt. The exact filling process may vary depending on whether the empty deodorant container is designed to be filled from the top or bottom. The molten deodorant product is generally maintained slightly above its congealing temperature so that it flows easily through the dispensing nozzle. If the molten deodorant product is too hot then dispersed solids may settle to the bottom. If the molten deodorant product is too cool then air bubbles trapped within the deodorant stick.

Generally, the deodorant stick is made using a batching process where the ingredients are combined in a jacketed stainless steel kettle. Heat, such as steam heat, is applied to melt the ingredients while the batch is blended by a mechanical mixing device. During the blending process, the temperature of the ingredients must be controlled to avoid scorching the waxy ingredients.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed toward a reusable dispenser with a removable front face that allows for the replacement of a hygiene stick such as, but not limited to an antiperspirant and/or deodorant stick. The front face may be removed by sliding it upwards relative to a dispenser body until the front face disengages from the dispenser body. The front face may be re-attached to the dispenser body by snapping engagement tabs together. The used hygiene stick may then be removed by turning a rotational device such that a keyhole in the device aligns with a key on a spindle. A replacement hygiene stick may then now be inserted and seated on an elevator platform in the dispenser. In one embodiment, the hygiene stick may be sold as a set with the spindle and the elevator platform.

In one aspect of the present invention, a reusable dispenser includes a housing body; a removable front panel detachably coupled to the housing body, the front panel and the housing body forming a cavity to hold an applyable hygiene set, wherein the hygiene set includes a hygiene stick, a spindle and an elevator platform, the elevator platform located within the cavity, the elevator platform configured to support the hygiene stick; and a rotational device detachably coupled to the spindle, wherein rotation of the rotational device turns the spindle and causes the elevator platform to move upward to expose the hygiene stick for application.

In another aspect of the invention, a replaceable hygiene set includes a spindle; an elevator platform; and a hygiene stick. The spindle is threadably coupled to the elevator platform and the spindle extends through a substantial portion of the hygiene stick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a reusable dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a reusable dispenser according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a reusable dispenser according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional, close-up view an elevator platform, a spindle, and a rotational device of the reusable dispenser of FIG. 3A according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a an exploded, perspective view of a reusable dispenser having a dispenser body and a front panel that are detachable and re-attachable to each other using a plurality of engagement tabs according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4B is another exploded, perspective view of the reusable dispenser of FIG. 4A according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with antiperspirant and/or deodorant dispensers and methods of making and using the same may not necessarily be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the invention.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a reusable dispenser with a removable front face that allows for the replacement of a hygiene stick such as, but not limited to an antiperspirant and/or deodorant stick (hereinafter referred to as simply a deodorant stick). The front face may be removed by sliding it upwards relative to a dispenser body until the front face disengages from the dispenser body. The used deodorant stick may then be removed by turning a rotational device such that a keyhole in the device aligns with a key on a spindle. A replacement deodorant stick may then now be inserted and seated on an elevator platform in the dispenser.

In one embodiment, the deodorant stick, the spindle and the elevator platform may be sold as a set. The dispenser could be sold with one deodorant stick. A consumer could purchase refill sets separately, either as a single set or as multiple sets. The consumer would have the option of switching out deodorant sticks at any time, for example for the purpose of changing the scent/strength of the deodorant stick.

FIG. 1 shows a reusable dispenser 100 having a removable front face 102 and a dispenser body 104. The front face 102 and the dispenser body 104 may include a recessed surface 106 for receiving a cap or lid 108 for the reusable dispenser 100. An elevator platform 109 is located in a lower portion 110 of the body 104. The elevator platform 109 provides a seat or a support for a deodorant stick (not shown). The elevator platform 109 includes an opening 112. A spindle 114 extends through the opening 112 for engagement with the deodorant stick. In one embodiment, the spindle 114 includes a coupling device 116, which will hereinafter be referred to as a coupling key 116. A rotational device 118, which will hereinafter be referred to as a wheel may be releasably attached to the coupling key 116.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another reusable dispenser 200 having a removable front face 202 and a dispenser body 204. The front face 202 and the dispenser body 204 may include recessed surfaces 206 for receiving a lid 209 for the reusable dispenser 100. The elevator platform 209, which provides the support for the deodorant stick 220, may include a bottom support 222, outer side walls 224, and threaded inner walls 226 configured to receive a spindle 214. The spindle 214 extends through the threaded inner walls 226 and into the deodorant stick 220. A bottom portion of the spindle 214 is attached to a coupling device 216, which will hereinafter be referred to as a coupling key 216. A rotational device 218 engages with the coupling key 216.

In the illustrated embodiment, the deodorant stick 220, the elevator platform 209, and the spindle 214 may be sold as a set such that once the deodorant stick 220 has been sufficiently used the set (i.e., deodorant stick 220, the elevator platform 209, and the spindle 214) may be discarded. As will be explained in more detail below, the spindle 214 may be removed by aligning the coupling key 216 with a keyhole (not shown) formed in the rotational device 218. The rotational device 218 engages with the dispenser body 204 such that the rotational device 218 rotates relative to the dispenser body 204, but does not translate relative to the dispenser body 204. In this respect, turning the rotational device 218 causes the deodorant stick 220 to move upward relative to the dispenser body 204, which allows a user to apply the deodorant stick 220 until it disengages from an upper portion of the spindle 214.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show another reusable dispenser 300 having a dispenser body 302 and a dispenser lid 304. FIG. 3A shows many of the features described above, so they will be merely mentioned herein for the purposes of brevity. The dispenser 300 includes an elevator platform 306, a rotational device 308, a spindle 310, and a deodorant stick 312.

FIG. 3B is a close-up view showing a portion of the elevator platform 306, a portion of the spindle 310 threadably engaged with the elevator platform 306, the rotational device 308. The rotational device 308 includes a keyhole opening 314 configured to receive a key 316 extending from a head 318 of the spindle 310. In one embodiment, the key 316 of the spindle 310 takes the form of a “flat,” similar to a flat head screwdriver. Nevertheless, the key 316 may take a variety of shapes that allows the key 316 to be received and locked into the rotational device 308 by way of the keyhole opening 314.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a reusable dispenser 400 having a dispenser body 402 and a removable front panel 404. The front panel 404 includes a plurality of front panel tabs 406 that slidably engage with a plurality of body tabs 408. Thus, removable of the front panel 402 from the dispenser body 402 includes sliding the front panel 404 upward relative to the dispenser body 404, which allows the tabs 406, 408 to disengage. Alternatively, the tabs 406, 408 may also take the form of snap lock tabs 406, 408 in which pressing the front panel 404 into the dispenser body 404 causes the snaps lock tabs 406, 408 to lockably engage when reattaching the front panel 404 to the dispenser body 402.

Preferably, the dispenser body 402 and the front panel 404 are made of a plastic material. However, the dispenser body 402 and the front panel 404 may be made from other materials such as metal. In addition, the dispenser body 402 and the front panel 404 may have a variety of finishes or designs to make the reusable dispenser 400 more aesthetically appealing to consumers or may be customized for a particular brand or manufacturer or personalized for a gift.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, other advantages will also be apparent to those of skill in the art with respect to any of the above-described embodiments whether viewed individually or in some combination thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A reusable dispenser comprising: a housing body; a removable front panel detachably coupled to the housing body, the front panel and the housing body forming a cavity to hold an applyable hygiene set, wherein the hygiene set includes a hygiene stick, a spindle and an elevator platform, the elevator platform located within the cavity, the elevator platform configured to support the hygiene stick; and a rotational device detachably coupled to the spindle, wherein rotation of the rotational device turns the spindle and causes the elevator platform to move upward to expose the hygiene stick for application.
 2. The reusable dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a keyhole opening formed in the rotational device.
 3. The reusable dispenser of claim 2, further comprising a key coupled to the spindle, wherein the key is selectably alignable with the keyhole opening for detaching the rotational device from the spindle when replacing the hygiene set.
 4. The reusable dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a lid configured to engage the housing body and the front panel.
 5. The reusable dispenser of claim 4, wherein the housing body and the front panel include recessed portions for receiving the lid.
 6. The reusable dispenser of claim 1, wherein the spindle is threadably coupled to the elevator platform.
 7. The reusable dispenser of claim 1, wherein the front panel slidably attaches to and detaches from the housing body.
 8. The reusable dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing body and the front panel are made from a plastic material.
 9. The reusable dispenser of claim 1, wherein the rotational device engages the housing body such that the rotational device is rotatably relative to the housing body yet not translatable relative to the housing body.
 10. The reusable dispenser of claim 1, wherein the hygiene stick includes a deodorant stick.
 11. The reusable dispenser of claim 1, wherein the hygiene stick includes an antiperspirant stick.
 12. The reusable dispenser of claim 1, wherein the reusable dispenser is recyclable.
 13. A replaceable hygiene set comprising: a spindle; an elevator platform; and a hygiene stick, wherein the spindle is threadably coupled to the elevator platform and the spindle extends through a substantial portion of the hygiene stick.
 14. The replaceable hygiene set of claim 13, wherein the wherein the hygiene stick includes a deodorant stick.
 15. The replaceable hygiene set of claim 13, wherein the hygiene stick includes an antiperspirant stick.
 16. The replaceable hygiene set of claim 13, wherein the elevator platform includes a base portion for supporting the hygiene stick.
 17. The replaceable hygiene set of claim 13, wherein rotation of the spindle causes the elevator to discharge the hygiene stick upward through a reusable dispenser. 